{"id":27819,"date":"2025-07-30T05:38:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T03:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myhome.at\/?p=27819"},"modified":"2025-07-15T17:22:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T15:22:10","slug":"beautifully-trimmed-cutting-hedges-correctly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myhome.at\/en\/beautifully-trimmed-cutting-hedges-correctly\/","title":{"rendered":"Beautifully trimmed – cutting hedges correctly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What was once intended to protect against prying eyes is now green garden architecture: expert Reinhard Kittenberger (“Kittenberger Erlebnisg\u00e4rten”) on the art of topiary, the best time to trim hedges and the most beautiful hedge plants for small and large paradises.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Hedges: green walls with a history<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

The Green Wall has a history: in the 17th and 18th centuries, the small and large secrets of the aristocracy were hidden behind it: pleasure walks, cultivated affairs, hidden gardens – hedges were not only decorative in the Baroque era, but also highly political – and not only in France. “They served as privacy screens,” says garden expert Reinhard Kittenberger, “for things that you would rather not see in the palace garden.” It was never just about plant care – but about control, order and staging. Even in the gardens of Versailles, people and plants were “brought into shape” in equal measure, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n

Today, the hedge has largely shed its austerity – what remains is its function as a green border between retreat and the world. And yet, if you trim it correctly, you can still elevate it to a living sculpture. <\/p>\n\n

\"Hedge,
Majestic and as if from another era: a castle garden with meticulously trimmed hedges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Shape, light and the right cut<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

“If you don’t prune a hedge, it grows like a tree – freely, but uncontrolled,” says Kittenberger. However, pruning is crucial for dense, compact growth – as early and regularly as possible. The best shape? “Trapezoidal,” explains the expert. “Then the sunlight also reaches the lower areas – and the hedge doesn’t wither from below.” If you prune evenly, you ensure healthy shoots, fewer gaps and lasting density.It is also important to note the difference between topiary and maintenance pruning: first, the desired basic shape is created – later, annual pruning to this line is sufficient, always with a little leeway so that the plant continues to grow healthily. <\/p>\n\n

When is the best time to cut the tail?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

“September is the best time,” says Kittenberger without hesitation. In spring, the hedge is allowed to sprout a little wildly, but is only pruned in late summer – i.e. September. “I would never prune in midsummer – freshly exposed leaves get sunburnt.” Autumn, on the other hand, brings mild light and enough time for new shoots before the frost arrives. A single, well-placed cut per year is often enough. <\/p>\n\n

From privet to yew – which hedge plants are worthwhile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

The question remains as to which hedge the expert would currently recommend. For Kittenberger, there are several options – depending on the space, requirements and preferences: <\/p>\n\n